In 2015
We Welcomed

Zoe Sharp

and

Denise Swanson

and

Local
Featured
Author

Robert
Goldsborough

also

Anne Perry (via Skype)

for a LIM Master Class

If you missed us in 2015,

for the 2016 Con

Testimonials

In my opinion, the Chicago Love is Murder conference is the best bang for your buck for any mystery conference around. This was my third time attending and I have to say it gets better every year. Here’s a brief run-down of some of the panel discussions, the behind-the-scenes takes you won’t get on a roster, and those ‘you just had to be there moments’ as Tweeted and Facebooked by attendees.

-Barbra Annino

Sisters in Crime

In Memoriam

This page honors our LIM Conference friends who have passed. Please contact us if there is someone you would like to include.

Jeremiah Healy, 1948-2014

It is with great sadness that we in the LIM community mourn the passing of Jeremiah Healy. The author of 18 novels and several dozen short stories, Jerry was a gentleman of the highest quality whose most well-known fictional hero, private investigator John Francis Cuddy, mirrored Jerry’s own strong moral beliefs.

A graduate of Rutgers College and Harvard Law School, Jerry practiced law for five years before taking a position at the New England School of Law. It was during his 18 years as a professor at NESL that he penned his first ten novels. His first Cuddy novel, Blunt Darts, was nominated for a Shamus Award. His second Cuddy offering, The Staked Goat, won the Shamus. Years later, he served as president of both the Private Eye Writers of America and the International Association of Crime Writers.

Jerry advocated the “pay it forward” approach to life, generously helping new authors get their start in the publishing business while at the same time urging them to use their own talents to help other people succeed. Rick Helms was one of those newbies who owed a portion of his success to Jerry. Rick reports that when he tried to express his appreciation, Jerry responded that “…if I really wanted to thank him, I should ‘pay it forward’ – that is, help the next author who came along asking ME for help.”

And that was Jerry’s way. Generous with his time and advice, Jerry treated every writer equally, regardless of their level of success. He offered encouragement with a smile and a hug, and was never too busy to answer a question or discuss a problem, even when meeting someone for the first time. Jerry took a genuine interest in people as individuals, and because of this, writers and fans alike responded to him with honest affection.

Jerry’s commitment to helping others didn’t end with writing. After a successful battle with prostate cancer in 2004, Jerry posted an article on his website explaining how he’d been diagnosed, what treatment he’d chosen, and how the cancer experience had affected his life. He provided tips on dealing with the emotional side of prostate cancer and urged cancer survivors to “pay it forward by being a willing listener/advisor to men newly diagnosed…”

Jerry died in his Florida home on August 14, 2014 after years of combatting severe depression. He will be sorely missed by all in the mystery community who loved and respected him.

Honora Finkelstein, 1941-2014

It is with great sadness that we have learned that author and long-time LIM attendee Honor Finkelstein passed away on May 14, 2014. Together with her cousin Susan Smiley, she co-authored three published novels in the Ariel Quigley Mystery Series, including The Chef Who Died Sauteing (2006), which won a Lovey Award in 2007 and was nominated for an Agatha Award that same year; The Lawyer Who Died Trying (2007); and The Reporter Who Died Probing (2008); three Killer Cookbooks that were published in separate editions to accompany the novel and that have recently been re-published in combination editions with the novels; and the thriller Walk-In (2012). Click here to read a beautiful tribute to Honora by her daughter Aileen on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/notes/10152452692198276/). The LIM Board expresses its heartfelt sympathies to Honora’s family.

Scott Doornbosch, 1952-2012

Scott died peacefully at his home in Tinley Park, IL on July 27, 2012 at the age of 60 after a long and brave struggle with cancer.

Scott published his first book, Basic Black -- A Tony Black Mystery in June, 2011 and won a Lovey Award at the 2012 Love is Murder con for Best First Novel.

"I never thought about being a writer until about 8 years ago when I was sitting on my deck having a glass of wine and an image kept popping into my head. I decided to write it down and found myself still writing after 6 hours. Of course it was the beginning of a story so I had to go back and write some more the next day. After 14 days my first book was finished."